You might recognise the name Pete Drew from the ‘your neck of the woods’ section of the mag where he’s our South West correspondent, but when he’s not busy sending in his words late to us he’s busy promoting UK importer/distributor Silverfish’s impressive collection of brands. To be honest I think we should probably forgive him for always being late with his words, because as part of a small team at Silverfish he always seems to have a massive amount on his plate. He not only has to deal with people like us, he also sorts out everything from sponsorship, events, shows, advertising, their website, bike demos, and a whole load of other random stuff that lands on his desk. For someone so busy though he does an awfully good impression of a beach bum. Anyway, here’s his entroducing…
WHO IS PETE DREW?
Just your average friendly guy from the West Country who enjoys dusty trails, loves bikes, snowboarding, Vdubs, surfing, and the odd cold beer with friends. He grew up riding on the Quantock Hills and always seems to buy cars worth less than his shoes and nowhere near the price of his bikes.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
Born and raised in Taunton, Somerset but now I’m in Plymouth mixing it up with the students on Mutley Plain.
WHAT’S YOUR JOB TITLE?
Marketing Manager for Silverfish UK Ltd.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR SILVERFISH?
Five years with a little break for a few months when I worked for Cove Bikes in North Vancouver, but a broken heel bone put me back on a plane home.
HOW DID YOU LAND THE JOB?
Some people would call it luck; I’d call it…well luck I guess! After completing my degree I spent the summer surfing and eating pasties at the beach, and riding my bike. One day my friend and old house mate Richie Rowland (SF Sales Manager) called me and asked if I wanted to help out in the warehouse for a bit. That was over five years ago now and since then I have moved through from the company as it has got bigger. So thanks to Richie really and Darren and Sarah (the owners) for letting me in the door on that first day.
WHAT’S THE WORST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
Pea picking, washing up in a pub, banana packing and cleaning up in a butchers, all just scratch the worst job surface.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE?
Anywhere where I can surf waves, rip trails or snowboard with my good friends.
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO RIDE?
This is a little cliché but Whistler is so good and I was lucky enough to first ride and live there right back in 2001. Sitting in the Longhorn with a beer or at Rainbow Park/Lost Lake after a great day riding is the best and the backdrop is so beautiful.
WHEN ARE YOU HAPPIEST?
Getting to the end of an amazing trail or ride when the sun is out and you can kick up some dust.
WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY?
Trikes! You know the ones people make by getting a perfectly good car and perfectly good motorbike and then constructing something out of all of their bad points over a weekend, i.e. not fast, not agile, no roof, unsafe, no boot etc. Why?
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
This was not given to me directly, but Andrew Titley once said in the film Chainspotting, “Whatever you’re doing, just really go for it” and it’s always stuck in my mind.
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GIVEN?
Don’t touch that, it’s hot!
WHAT ARE YOUR EXTRAVAGANCES?
Driving crap cars, riding expensive bikes, and drinking average beer.
WHO DO YOU ADMIRE?
Lots of people, from my mother who brought up two kids on her own and helped them through Uni and into good jobs, to anyone who is doing what they want to do, when they want to do it.
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN YOUR LIFE?
Like BT, I would say friends and family.
WHAT WOULD YOU NEVER THROW AWAY?
A very sentimental penknife.
WHAT’S YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
Going in for a minor operation in hospital and then waking up to find there has been a mistake and they have amputated my legs! Scary dream!
WHAT WAS YOUR LUCKIEST ESCAPE?
I’ve have had quite a few over the years, but the one that stands out was a DH crash in France. I was racing over there in ‘99 when I split my beans in a rocky section and rolled down the crash netting right off the end. I flew through the air and landed on a large log which was being cut up by a chainsaw wielding Frenchman. He moved the saw literately as my legs landed on the mark he had just made with the blade. I was left looking up the track into the face of a very wide eyed friend who was following me down, and a very, very scared French lumberjack.
WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU DO IN THE MORNING?
Turn off the alarm, stretch, and then check the weather.
WHAT’S THE LAST THING YOU DO AT NIGHT?
Turn off the light.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM MEAL?
Steak with a side of err…steak.
WHAT THINGS DO YOU ALWAYS CARRY WITH YOU?
A watch.
DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS?
No point regretting anything, otherwise you wouldn’t be where you are now.
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON THAT YOU’VE LEARNT?
When you have a broken heel, don’t catch your crutches on an electric fence!
IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH THREE FAMOUS PEOPLE (DEAD OR ALIVE) WHO WOULD THEY BE?
Shaun Palmer, Kelly Slater, and then either Megan Fox or Shaun White…I reckon Megan Fox would win. Those guys have some very interesting stories to tell I’m sure.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE RIDER?
To watch, Cedric Gracia due to his style, but Steve Peat for pure dedication and time at the top.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE BIKE PRODUCT OF ALL TIME?
Saddles, cos it would hurt without them! Seriously though it would have to be SPD’s and suspension forks, as they’ve made riding much better and smoother.
WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE BIKE PRODUCT OF ALL TIME?
Fork boots which held mud and grit against your fork stanchions.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOTTO OR SAYING?
I don’t really have one, but I do use too many lines from films and TV programs throughout the day.
WHAT SAYING DO YOU USE TOO MUCH?
Like!
WHAT BIKE ARE YOU RIDING AT THE MOMENT?
A Cove Sanchez and a Rocky Mountain road bike, plus I’ve got a DW Turner Flux in the work stand.
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO AT THE MOMENT?
Hilltop Hoods – Nose Bleed Section.
WHAT ONE THING WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOURSELF?
My bank balance!
WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?
Bikes and dodgy cars.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU?
More years working at Silverfish and within the bike industry I hope. Some more travelling would also be nice along with some epic trail riding, and then some beach relaxing would top it off nicely.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING?
More people riding bikes at marked DH and XC trail centres. An increase in Enduro DH and XC participation, and cycling at all levels increasing across the board. Oh and Steve Peat winning a gold World Championship medal.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED?
Why, where am I going? What do you know that I don’t? Did you open that letter from the doctor? Just a top bloke and all round friendly person would do me.
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